CTOMS UNFILTERED

Equipment Innovation. What Do You Think?

2012 is going to be a busy year for us as we`re in the process of changing the way we run our Training. The change is so significant, it is going to take all year. But that is not the focus of this post. During our Training transition, we also want to make sure we remain at the forefront of equipment innovation. We currently have many very innovative products in development both alone and in partnership with other companies; revolutionary hypothermia management products, micro rope systems and others are at the cusp of fruition. But we’re looking for your help, input and feedback. After all, you as the end user drive the evolution of [Training and] Equipment. Consider this an RFI or Request For Information. Specifically, what gaps, challenges, or downright problems do you have that equipment innovation would solve? What products would you like to see us bring to market?

This could be anything from tactical equipment, rescue equipment, medical equipment, combinations of all of them. What solutions would you like to see? We appreciate your input.

Thanks Justin. Something similar is in the works. Our CHeCK or Catastrophic Hemorrhage Control Kit will be available shortly. Everything will be sealed inside a bag though – no nylon pouch is planned right now. Let us know if you think a nylon pouch version is important. Thanks very much for the input. It is very much appreciated and will most certainly be actioned.

I have a hard time finding pouches that can hold up to rain, let alone a drop in the water. Something D-Bag size built as well as the DPL would be heaven for gear I need protected but need easy access to. Lends itself to a more flexible and lighter load-out too.

Something else I have a hell of a time finding is a quality nylon Para/EMT holster. Its with me every day and I end up repairing and replacing mine several times a year.

The D-Bag Marine is currently in production. It is essentially a water and air-tight D-Bag – no liners, one zipper. There is also other products in this line that we are working on. The thing is that you pay – it is not cheap to manufacture these. What other pouches are worth the added cost to be made waterproof?

As for your EMT holster, what gear do you carry in it? How large or small is ideal?

The saddle bags, Frontline, and GPs just seem too small to warrant the cost. The D-Bags a good size plus has dividers and MARS so can fit smaller gear without it rattling around so I can’t really see another bag needing it. If I needed something like the Assault with a DPL I’d just it with the Main Pack and add more MARS panels to secure gear.

As for the holster, my last one was similar to http://www.allheart.com/adc115.html and lasted me 4 months I think. I carried my shears, splinter forceps, 5.5″ Kelly forceps, and 5.5″ bandage scissors in it.

If I designed the perfect one for me, it would hold at least those tools, maybe a second pair of forceps. I’d rather a flap with a pocket (for a pair of gloves) than a strap through the shears. If it were wide enough to fit your Ripper too that would be great. PALS attachment on the back so I can attach it wherever needed. And a thin profile since I wear it on the small of my back during daily carry.

I have for a long time been looking for a pack that lets me carry my personal gear and my medical equipment at the same time. Most packs give me only one of the two.
Size approx 50 liters. Weight of personal gear 15-20 kg.
Must be integrated with body armor and load bearing vest.
medical equipment solution should be flexible and easily accessible…

The current 2ndLine Pack system was designed specifically for that application, however I am going to assume you’re meaning something that will integrate into a framed ruck for longer sustainment. and even larger pers gear carriage. To be very honest, we dont plan to get into the rucksack business. I think there are some incredible solutions on the market. Have you considered, or tried to incorporate our Assault Pack module onto an existing larger ruck. It will ‘dock’ externally with any set of four 1″ side release buckle compression straps. Just a thought.

From a training perspective, I have taken the CTOMS TacMed program a couple times. While thoroughly satisfied and well prepared for deployments, the integration on force-on-force CUF and TFC Bubble would be interesting. Adding a degree of difficulty for an experienced tactical medical operator. While this may beyond the mandate of the current contract….Nothing like actual projectiles and sim, to make you burst your bubble and get back into it.

Kit, mine is simple, always like nitrile gloves rolled in pairs, easier to pack, easy to deploy when need.

Looking forward to the hypothermia management systems I saw during my visit hitting the market. It is gonna change how we do business.

Already doing FoF with some agencies. Will be much more readily available in the future with the new training developments too. Ultimately it is up to the customer. Specifically on the training you are referring to, the client never wanted it even though we aggressively recommended it on every single AAR.

Health Canada licensed, individual Nitrile Gloves are on their way very soon.